Visiting Johannesburg during the festive season? The City of Gold has covered you with various fun activities guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit – from bustling yuletide markets and beautiful light displays to fun and traditional tourist attractions. So, there’s something for everyone! In this guide, we’ll cover a range of places to visit in this lively city to ensure an unforgettable experience that’s merry, bright and full of holiday cheer. Let’s get started with some ideas to inspire you on your journey.
Explore Joburg’s scenic beauty
Known primarily for being a busy city, Johannesburg has some beautiful outdoor spaces with lush greenery and spectacular weather. Try these if you’re in the mood for a picturesque stroll during the Christmas season:
The Johannesburg Botanical Garden – These beautifully landscaped gardens have many outdoor concerts and festive picnics during the Christmas period, perfect for those who prefer a more relaxing and chilled stroll while taking in the scenery.
The Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden – This picturesque spot is famous for its cascading waterfall and is perfect for a Christmas picnic or a peaceful hike with family and friends.
Other outdoor adventures – For those seeking more of a thrill and a spot of adventure in their outdoor endeavours, Johannesburg offers some unique activities to delight in, such as taking a hot air balloon ride for breathtaking views of the city or exciting safari excursions to see South Africa’s amazing wildlife for a once in a lifetime experience. There are also festive decorations and Christmas shows at Gold Reef City, an excellent theme park on an old gold mine full of fantastic rides and historical tours for all ages.
Take a stroll through festive markets.
To get into the festive spirit, there’s nothing quite like a Christmas market to browse a selection of stalls, and Johannesburg has a wide variety of places to pick up some unique gifts, as well as support local businesses in the area:
The Bryanston Organic and Natural Market – One of Johannesburg’s oldest markets transforms into a winter wonderland during the festive season. Here, you’ll find an array of gifts, handmade crafts, artisanal products and traditional Christmas decorations to buy.
Fourways Farmers Market – Set in the beautiful Modderfontein Nature Reserve, Fourways Farmers Market is the perfect spot to sample and browse Christmas food stalls and festive drinks, complete with live music, carolling and fun entertainment for both children and adults in a magical outdoor setting.
Dazzling light displays
Johannesburg features several spectacular light displays you can view with family and friends. Here are some of our favourites:
Melrose Arch – Melrose Arch is a favourite for family entertainment and for showcasing magical and twinkling light displays, along with an array of dining options, cheerful Christmas stalls and carolling.
Joburg Zoo’s Festival of Lights – Every year, Joburg Zoo and Joburg Theatre join forces to organize their annual Festival of Lights. This features charming, illuminated, life-size animal characters, a night market, food stalls and several shopping options, making it a night to remember.
Zoo Lake Carols by Candlelight – A treasured tradition by many in the community. Local choirs and residents come together to sing Christmas carols in a lovely lakeside setting.
LiggieFees – Much more than just a dazzling Christmas light display, LiggieFees is an annual Christmas fundraiser that supports the Jakaranda Children's Home. You can enjoy magical lights, a carnival, an ice rink, photos with Santa, and browse various food stalls, all while contributing to a great cause.
Exciting Christmas events at popular casinos
For top-notch entertainment with a hint of glitz and glamour, you can’t beat the casino entertainment complexes in Johannesburg, as they go all out at Christmas time. From fine dining to live shows and family-friendly options, these premier casinos promise a fun evening for all.
And if you prefer to play and browse casino games online, PlayCasino, South Africa’s trusted online casino resource, is well-known among the country’s top gaming venues. PlayCasino ensures you’re informed about the most exciting places to try your luck and enjoy luxurious amenities and quality entertainment. Here are our top choices for casino venues in Johannesburg that offer Christmas-specific events:
Time Square – Time Square Casino in Pretoria often has a dazzling Christmas lights display with sparkling lights covering their spectacular gardens, with plenty of fun photo opportunities for Instagram! You can find festive food stalls among the lights, including free Candylicious popcorn and slushies for children under 12.
Silverstar Casino – Silverstar Casino will be hosting a festive, market-style pop-up shop in conjunction with Craft X for some special Christmas buys for those who love to shop and browse unique finds – all with free entry, which is a bonus!
Emperors Palace – At Emperors Palace, they host a wonderful Bavarian-themed Christmas village complete with fairies, elves and reindeer in their enchanted forest. This event is huge – in fact, it’s the size of about two rugby fields – and has designated areas of Snow Town, The Village Square and The Tunnel of Lights, with beautiful and sparkling displays to view.
Montecasino – Montecasino hosts various festive events and magical attractions with state-of-the-art 3D projections and Christmas displays incorporating over 285,300 LED lights. You can also visit Santa and get a photo with him or enjoy the spectacular Peter Pan on Ice show. The casino even gives prizes to many hopeful winners, including cash, electronics, and vouchers.
Christmas dining experiences
Christmas is the perfect time to explore Johannesburg’s diverse food options, whether you’re in the mood for traditional Christmas fare or want something different.
Fine dining – If you want to treat yourself to some luxury and take in some stunning views, you can enjoy a Christmas meal with South African flair at a restaurant like Marble. Or, for a cozy and quaint Christmas-style lodge, there’s Irene Country Lodge, where you can enjoy luxury Christmas dining with spectacular views in a magical setting.
Traditional South African cuisine – Restaurants such as Moyo or The Grillhouse serve festive South African dishes, and you can try traditional local favourites such as roast gammon, malva pudding, or milk tart.
Festive-style buffet – If you want to try a bit of everything, then the Christmas menu at Billy G, which has locations at Gold Reef City and Montecasino, has a buffet full of holiday cheer at reasonable prices. For a more luxury spa experience, you might want to try the buffet at The Fairway Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort.
Street food adventures – For an authentic street food experience, try the Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein, where you can stroll casually through various food stalls and pick from a selection of regional eats to more festive offerings.
Get to know the local culture and heritage.
A Christmas break in Johannesburg can be a great opportunity to take in the sights and explore the local history and culture between Christmas market visits. Why not try these below?
Apartheid Museum – While some may see this as a more serious stop on a lighthearted festive break, it can still appeal to those who love history and want insight into South Africa’s past. It also has fantastic exhibitions honouring legendary individuals such as Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.
Soweto Tours – With Soweto Tours, you can take a guided tour, visit famous landmarks, and take a trip to the homes of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Some of these tours also include Christmas musical performances.
Conclusion
Johannesburg has many activities and experiences make a Christmas trip unique and unforgettable. Whether you’re exploring festive markets, taking in the beauty of stunning light displays or enjoying a feast of local delicacies, you’re sure to have a festive and memorable time immersing yourself in the local culture and warm hospitality of the people and community.
